The 10 Greatest Bantamweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flea Man, Oct 4, 2018.

  1. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    And that means a decade worth of new people vying for the top ten spots, which can only place people further down on the list.

    Many of the IBRO guys are lower weight boxing fans. Boxing under lightweight doesn't interest me as much, but I do appreciate some bantams, many of who can punch for their weight and go after each other.

    If you can find me non Aussie historians who think that highly of Rose, it will be something new for me.
     
  2. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Neither McGrain nor I are Aussie.

    Also, there are no bantams from the last 20 years that would come close to pushing out anyone in my top 20, let alone my top 10.

    Again, this is pretty much covered in the prologue. Please take a read if you get a chance.

    I would’ve thought Rose’s inclusion was covered in the final few paragraphs of this article too. Then again, you’re splitting hairs when you get to both the lower and higher spots of a top 10 IMO; Rose could easily be 13th, he could easily be 8th (and was at one point!)

    He’s good for his spot at no.10 all the same.
     
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  3. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rose in the top 10 sounds fair IMO. His flame burned too fast but he got some quality work in.

    I think Jofre is the best ever at Bantamweight. In fact I think alongside Willie Pep the greatest fighter under lightweight in history.
     
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  4. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Well, Flea and McGrain are both non Aussies, both are well versed in lower weight divisions (probably more so than most of the IBRO members were), and both have Rose within their respective Top 10 lists of ATG bantams. And I'm certain that both were taking modern bantamweights and their accomplishments into consideration when creating said lists.

    You can blindly adhere to a decade old list...Or you watch Rose fight on Youtube and judge for yourself. I know which option I'd pick.
     
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Will do.
     
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  6. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Just out of curiosity, which modern bantamweight comes closest to cracking the Top 10?

    Sahaprom...?
    Hasegawa...?
    Yamanaka...?
    Anyone else?
     
  7. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Past 20 my brackets are less focused, but both Rafael Marquez and Orlando Canizales are in the 21-30 bracket so probably them.
     
  8. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    I can't guess as to who you are going to place where, only say where I have them, and where the vast majority has them, which pretty much would exclude the name Rose.

    115 or 118? The difference for me is a night out and a large meal. Keep in mind back then, fighters fought much closer to their walk around weight. Today, a bantam might be say a feather weight ( 126 pounds ) on fight night after his re-hydration process. This is a full two division jump.

    I'll give you my top 5

    1. Jofre - The gold standard. Perhaps the easiest #1 to call in any division.

    2. Olivares - A Mexican warrior, perhaps their best ever. Nearly unbeatable at bantam. Losses are mostly at feather.

    3. McGovern, and absolute terror in his prime years. Wins over Dixon, and Gans are tough to beat.

    4. Zarte. A huge puncher. I don't count his comeback out of the ring for 5 years against his legacy

    5. Brown - Extremely tough, and very tall for his weight class with good movement skills. He had a very long career.

    I do not wish to foil you here, rather its a chance to learn something new. Good luck, and yes I will be watching the world bantam weight super series. With the fighters not having a lot on their resumes, calling a winner here will be very hard. Donaire is the big name in the tournament. If he wins it, he's going to the hall of fame for sure. But he's very old for this weight class. ( 35 ).
     
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  9. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Keep on reading. That’s all I’ll say.
     
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  10. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I am sure it is a huge venture in both energy and time, but I would love to request a follow up series on flyweight.
     
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  11. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    I’ve done the super flyweights already. I will do all the weight classes eventually (combining 105 and 108) but until then our very own McGrain is working on the final instalment of his incredible series on the 50-greatest fighters in the ‘original eight’.

    I for one am VERY excited to read it!
     
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  12. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Any guesses as to who will land at number 9?
     
  13. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Manuel Ortiz ^^^^

    Edit: that is my guess I would go Zarate I think off the top of my head
     
  14. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I won't try to guess, who you have specifically as #9 (it would be pure luck, if I got it right) - but instead I'll try to predict all the names (in no particular order) you have ahead of Rose.

    Since you have already told us, that no one from the last 20 years makes the list, and hinted that Kid Williams is included, this is my guess for the remaining 8 names:

    Jofre
    Olivares
    Zarate
    Harada
    McGovern
    Ortiz
    Brown
    Herman

    But then again; I'm a bit surprised to see Rose in 10th place - so I'm not really sure, what to expect!
     
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  15. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'll say. I had a few good nights out on the strength of Fleaman tipping me Srisaket to beat Chocolito on points at 25-1 :) Good times.
     
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